Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VIII.

Author's Note: This is my first attempt at writing a multi-chapter fic, so if you people like this first chapter, then I'll continue with this. This takes place right after Squall and Rinoa have their first kiss on the balcony. Also, I'll be switching between Rinoa and Squall's POV, so I'll write which is which. As always, read and review!

After the Dust Settles

Chapter 1- An Unexpected Surprise

Squall's POV…

It was finally over. Ultimecia was defeated, the world was safe, my friends were safe, and most of all, Rinoa was safe. For once in my life, things were actually starting to look up for me. I had the best friends in the world and the love of my life. How on earth an angel like Rinoa could love a someone like me, I really don't know. All I know is that our love can withstand anything and we proved it to the world during time compression. I looked over at her and smiled, thinking about the kiss we had just shared minutes earlier. I know that I always had the image of being a lone wolf, truth be told, I still am, but when I'm with her, it's like I'm a completely different person. There's just something about her that makes me want to pour my heart out to her. I never want her to leave me side.

I hold her hand as we make our way into the depths of the party. The Headmaster decided to hold this party in honor of all of us who had defeated Ultimecia. I was supposed to be making a speech in a while, and I was completely dreading. What was the Headmaster thinking? He know how much I hate that kind of stuff. As if reading my thoughts, Rinoa squeezes my hand and looks up at me.

"Don't worry about it, Squall. You'll be fine."

I just stare at her, mesmerized by her beauty. Finally I say, "You're right. I guess I shouldn't obsess over it."

"That's the spirit!" Someone called from behind me. I turned around to find myself face to face with Selphie and Irvine.

"Yeah man, it won't do ya any good to worry." Irvine told me.

"Thanks guys…"

"Hello everybody!" This time it was Quistis, with Zell, following close behind her.

"Hey Quistis!" Rinoa greeted her.

"Oh, we should go sit down, the Headmaster's about to speak!" Selphie said and we all agreed. We sat down at a table close to the stage and watched as Headmaster Cid approached the podium.

"Good evening everybody. You can't imagine how proud I feel right now to be standing up here in front of all of you on such an occasion. Every single one of you has contributed to the defeat of Ultimecia and the safety of the world! Tonight, we are here to honor our highest ranking SeeD's who personally fought against Ultimecia. All of you will receive a gold medal of honor for your courageous deeds. When I call your name, please come up to the podium." The Headmaster cleared his throat. "Our heroic SeeD leader, Squall Leonhart!"

I made my way up to the podium. It was really embarrassing actually. I could feel everybody's eyes one me and I could here the whole crowd cheering and whistling. Finally, I reached the podium and received my medal.

"Congratulations!" The Headmaster said as he handed me my medal. "Next, our dear instructor, Quistis Trepe!"

Quistis made her way up to the podium. She also must have been very embarrassed because her face was a bright red. Quistis shook the Headmaster's hand.

"Excuse me, Sir, but you called me instructor…?" Quistis told Headmaster Cid.

"That's right Quistis. You have proven to be a worthy SeeD and I have decided to give you your Instructor's License back."

"Oh, thank you, Sir! This is such an honor!"

"You are quite welcome, Quistis. You've earned it." The Headmaster took a moment to compose himself and then continued, "Our next graduate is the energetic Zell Dincht!"

Zell jumped out of his seat excitedly. He didn't seem the least bit embarrassed at all.

"Congratulations, Zell."

"Thanks, Sir. Um…Sir, may I ask you a question?"

"Why certainly, Zell."

"Well, Sir, now that I'm a graduate and all, do you think that there could be some sort of way for me to get hot dogs without them always being sold out?"

The audience erupted in laughter, but Headmaster Cid quieted them down. "Well, Zell, I'll see what can be arranged."

"Thanks, Sir!" Zell said as he energetically took his place next to Quistis.

"All right, next we have the cheerful Selphie Tilmitt!"

Selphie walked, no skipped, her way up to the podium.

"Congratulations, Selphie!"

"Thank you, Headmaster! Oh, um, Sir?"

"Yes, Selphie?"

"Do you think that we'll be able to hold the Garden Festival this year?"

"I'm sure that it can be arranged, Selphie."

"Really?! Woo-hoo, thanks!"

Headmaster Cid smiled to himself, and then said, "Please put it together for our sharpshooter, Irvine Kinneas!"

Irvine tipped his hat and then made his way up to join the rest of us.

"Congratulations, Irvine."

"Why thank you, Sir."

I felt really proud to be standing there, but then something caught my eye. It was Rinoa, sitting all alone at our table. Surely the headmaster wouldn't condemn her just because she wasn't a SeeD?! I felt the anger boiling inside of me. I was just about to burst, when the Headmaster started to speak.

"Now, our final graduate is a sweet, charming girl. Whenever she walks into a room, it lights up. She was never a SeeD, but today, I am appointing her one. I think she has proven herself worthy of being a SeeD, wouldn't you agree?" The crowd roared with applause and I found the corners of my mouth starting to twitch into a smile. "Rinoa Heartilly, will you come up here please?"

Rinoa made her way up to the podium, grinning from ear to ear. She looked so proud to be making that walk, as if she never thought that Cid would recognize her along with the rest of us. For once, I was glad that she was proven wrong.

"Congratulations, Rinoa, you certainly earned it!"

"Thank you so much, Sir! It is such an honor to be standing here with everybody."

"There you have it folks. The six graduating members of SeeD, who took Ultimecia head on!" I wish you all the very best in the future to come!"

With that, the audience erupted into another fit of applause. Everyone one was beaming and looking proud. I have to admit, even I was starting to do it, a little. Who would have thought, me, the lone wolf, would be where I am right now?

We all left the podium and made our way back to the table. I took a seat next to Rinoa.

"Wow, I can't believe that Cid made me a SeeD! He's such a nice man!"

"You deserve it. If he didn't make you a SeeD, I would have punched his lights out!" I said.

"You know, Rinoa, I don't know what you did to him, but he's already treating us like friends and not strangers!" Quistis exclaimed.

"Well, I still have to get him up to the podium in a few minutes, to make his speech." My face turned white. The speech was in five minutes?! I had completely forgotten about it!

"Squall, are you okay? You look sick." Rinoa said.

"I-I'm fine." I lied.

"Are you sure, you really don't look so good." Selphie commented.

"I'm fine, okay?!" I snapped.

"Looks like the old Squall is back." Zell said, snickering.

"Sorry, I just don't feel like talking, okay?" I told them.

"I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have pushed you." Selphie said.

"It's alright."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Headmaster Cid making his way to the podium again. "Excuse me everybody, but can I please have your attention again? Our Commander, and leader, Squall, has offered to give us a speech. Squall, will you please some up here?"

I got up out of my seat, Rinoa squeezed my hand for support and I felt reassurance rush through me. I mounted the steps and took my place at the podium.

"Hey everybody." I said. What to say, what to say? I thought to myself. Then, I saw Rinoa with her reassuring smile and I knew exactly what to say. "We've all been through a lot over the past couple of weeks, with Ultimecia and everything. I just want to thank every single person out there in the crowd. You all probably think that you're not important and us six SeeDs who were honored here today are the only important ones. That is completely not true. None of us could have ever even made it to fight Ultimecia if it weren't for all of you. So, I just want to say thanks, for trusting in me, and giving it your all."

The audience burst into applause and I almost smiled. "I also want to thank my comrades. Yes you are my comrades, but more importantly, you are my friends. Throughout this whole thing, when I was acting like an ass hole, you still stuck by my side. Zell, Selphie, Quistis, Irvine, I thank you all for being there when I needed you the most. Last, but never least, I thank my one true love. The one person in the world who give my life meaning and makes it feel wonderful to wake up everyday. Rinoa, I love you." As I said those words, I saw her eyes widen in shock. I had never told her that I loved her before. "Again, thanks to everyone, and be proud because you are the reason why we are all alive and well today. Thank you." I made my way down from the podium, with the crowd's applause ringing in my ear. Thank God that's over.

"Squall, that was beautiful!" Rinoa hugged me as I neared the table. "That was the sweetest thing that anyone has ever said to me. I love you, too, Squall!" It made me so happy to hear those words. To know that not only did I love someone, but that I was loved in return. I was filled with a rush of emotion and then I picked Rinoa up and kissed her. When the kiss was over, she just stared at me in amazement. Suddenly, the crowd started to applaud and their were even a few whistles that I heard. Rinoa started to giggle and I found myself turning red.

"I never thought you had it in you, Squall." Irvine joked. I was just about to answer when suddenly, the room went black.

"What the hell?!" I couldn't see a thing! I could hear people moving around and then there was a muffled scream. Then, just as swiftly as they had gone, the lights came back on.

"Is everyone okay?" Headmaster Cid asked.

Everyone seemed to be fine, and I turned to my left to see if Rinoa was okay, but she wasn't there. I started to panic.

"Has anyone seen Rinoa?!" I shouted.

"She was just here a minute ago!" Zell said.

We searched frantically, but to no avail. Rinoa was gone.

Author's Note: Hey, I hope you all liked the first chapter. Should I continue with this? Send me a review and tell me what you think.